Report | Warrington 1-2 Wrexham

Report | Warrington 1-2 Wrexham

A different sort of challenge for Dean Keates and the boys at Cantilever Park as they faced a very stubborn Warrington side, well drilled by manager Paul Carden.

Persistence was the key and the visitors knuckled down to their task, eventually getting their reward thanks to goals either side of the half time break.

First it was Chris Holroyd and then Scott Boden, before Ruben Jerome pulled one back late on with a composed finish.

The opening exchanges saw full back James Jennings tale a knock to his though and while he came back on after treatment, he was soon substituted by Akil Wright. In turn, this saw Carrington switch to left back.

After a cagey start, the first real chance came on 17 minutes, when turned his marked in the centre circle and raced clear on goal. To be fair to home keeper – the former Southport man Tony McMillan – stood his ground and saved well to his left.

McMillan was again on top form 12 minutes later, when he thwarted Trialist B with a smart diving after Wright has sprinted 50 yards down the left-hand channel before pulling the ball back for the striker to pick his spot from 10 yards…

On 33 minutes, a high bouncing ball allowed Trialist B to get a shot away, but maybe the power was lacking on this occasion and McMillan was able to grab the ball without too much trouble.

A Wrexham free kick from the left flank carried just a bit too high, but at the back-post Pearson was only inches away from getting his outstretched boot to the cross.

The keeper was well place on 40 minutes, after Trialist B’s effort was blocked, the ball rebounded to Holroyd, 22 yards out. His first-time dipping effort arrowed straight at McMillan, who must have been relieved it wasn’t a couple of yards either side of him.

Three minutes before the break the visitors finally broke the deadlock. As Hurst ran onto a long pass from Pearson, got a good cross in and in the middle Holroyd fired hone at the second attempt.

Ht 0-1

Trialist C for the home side was a lively soul in midfield, spraying balls in all directions and even trying a long range shot towards Dunn’s goal.

On the hour, a double change up front as Scott Bowden and Ntumba Massanka were introduced for both Holroyd and Trialist B.

A good clearing header by Manny Smith ended up at the feet of Wire Trialist C, who tried his luck from distance, but the ball carried wide of its target, with Dunn watching on.

On 66 minutes the lead was stretched, when Boden scored with his first touch, rifling the ball home after Ntumba saw his effort saved. The on loan forward reacted quickly though, to recover the ball before spotting Boden free eight yards out.

Loud claims for a penalty from the travelling support on 69 minutes, as Tums crashed to ground in the box, but the referee was adamant that the Warrington defender had made contact with the ball first.

Warrington claimed a goal back on 80 minutes. when Ruben Jerome chased a long ball over the top, steadied himself in front of goal and planted his effort right in the corner passed the diving Dunn. It was a well taken effort from the substitute, who had run 50 yards in the build-up.

While the home side pushed for a leveller in the dying minutes, it was the Welshmen who took the spoils.